Jose Acuna-Valenzuela Murders Witness In Arizona

Jose Acuna-Valenzuela was sentenced to death by the State of Arizona for murdering a man who testified against hime

According to court documents Jose Acuna-Valenzuela would run into a man and his girlfriend at a store. The man had previously testified against him in a criminal trial

Jose Acuna-Valenzuela would follow them then open fire as the two were in their vehicle killing the man and severely injuring the woman

Jose Acuna-Valenzuela would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death

Jose Acuna-Valenzuela Photos

Jose Acuna-Valenzuela FAQ

Jose Acuna-Valenzuela Case

In August 2011, Edgar S. and his girlfriend Perla M. went to a
local Baskin-Robbins to get ice cream. They saw Acuna, who had
previously been Edgar’s friend. In 2008, Edgar had testified against Acuna
during a criminal proceeding in which Acuna was sentenced to prison.
Thereafter, their relationship soured.

          When Acuna saw the couple inside Baskin-Robbins, he

looked at them twice, his eyes widened, and he walked toward an exit door
and yelled at Edgar, “I told you I didn’t want to [expletive] see you.” Once
outside, Acuna saw Sandra P., a friend from high school, who was running
errands in the same shopping complex. Acuna appeared upset while
talking with Sandra, saying (about Perla) that she “told me that she hadn’t
seen him, that she wasn’t talking to him no more,” and she “lied to me,”
and (about Edgar) that “I did prison time for him.” Sandra offered to help
Acuna, reassuring him that she would support him in a fight against Perla.

           After Edgar and Perla left the Baskin-Robbins and got into

Perla’s car, Edgar said, “Baby, he’s coming.” Over her right shoulder, Perla
saw Acuna running and firing a gun at her vehicle. Bullets shattered the car
window and struck Edgar. Edgar tried to get out of the vehicle while Acuna
continued to run behind the car and shoot at Perla. Acuna then left the
scene in Sandra’s car.

         Edgar sustained multiple bullet wounds, and Perla was hit in

her upper back. She survived, ultimately undergoing two surgeries. Edgar
died from his injuries.

          Acuna was convicted after trial of first degree murder,

attempted first degree murder, discharge of a firearm at a structure, and
misconduct involving weapons. The jury found two aggravating
circumstances: (1) that Acuna had been previously convicted for another
serious offense (the attempted first degree murder of Perla); and (2) that he
murdered Edgar in retaliation for testimony in a court proceeding. A.R.S.

https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4537834/state-of-arizona-v-jose-alejandro-acuna-valenzuela/